Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken over after Cristiano Ronaldo’s evaluation of Manchester United’s training facilities, labeling them “stopped in time” following his departure last season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe listens to Cristiano Ronaldo advice and tells Man Utd staff to ‘pack up’ (Image: PA)
Employees at Manchester United have been instructed to vacate their offices at Carrington in advance of renovations intended to update the team’s “stopped in time” training facility.
Upon leaving the club last year, Cristiano Ronaldo did not hold back when criticizing the training headquarters, calling it “stopped in time” from his more than ten-year tenure there before.
Furthermore, Ineos, the new co-owners of United, have accepted the forward’s damning assessment at face value and are moving forward with significant upgrades this summer in an effort to bring United back to its former glory.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos, has made several noteworthy decisions since investing in United earlier this year, and the renovation of Carrington is just the latest. Ratcliffe invested £237 million in infrastructure, which includes the training base, in addition to £1.03 billion for a quarter shareholding.
Although final confirmation of planning permissions is needed in some areas, Carrington employees have been told, according to The Telegraph, to pack their belongings before departing for the summer.
Despite the planned renovations to the main building, the United team will make use of the Carrington pitches when they return in time for their preseason tour of the USA in mid-July.
The change in workspaces is the result of Ratcliffe’s new policy, which terminates flexible work-from-home hours. To make up for the disruption, Carrington employees will be moved to different parts of the training ground and Old Trafford.
Jim Ratcliffe has made several trips north to Manchester from INEOS’ London HQ ( Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
For a club that has spent the last ten years in a state of stagnation, the temporary disruption is seen as essential to any long-term development. The men’s first-team building will be the primary focus, despite Ineos expressing the need for infrastructure improvements that encompass all facets of the club. This comes after an investment of £11 million in the women’s and academy facilities last summer.
Carrington, which opened 24 years ago and replaced the Cliff, United’s training base since the 1930s, has been in desperate need of renovation for a while.
The facilities’ lack of modernization has long been criticized, especially in light of other, more impressive, state-of-the-art facilities, such as Manchester City’s magnificent Etihad Campus, which offers accommodations for players to stay overnight if needed.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Cristiano Ronaldo, Scott McTominay of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on August 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) ( Image: 2022 Manchester United FC)
Ronaldo was among those who criticized Carrington for his poor performance. He said of the club’s fan base after departing United in 2022 for Saudi Arabia: “Surprisingly, nothing changed.” Not just the gym, not even the pool or jacuzzi. Even the chefs, who I admire, are wonderful people in the kitchen. They came to a stop just in time. It caught me off guard.
“I had anticipated seeing additional objects, infrastructure, and technologies. Regretfully, we witness a great deal of what I saw when I was 21, 22, and 23 years old. It truly caught me off guard.
